Boat owners, it's that time of year, once again, to get your vessel, personal watercraft (PWC), paddle boat, kayak, sail boat etc. registered with the Spring Valley Lake Association. If your vessel is on the water, the only grace period that will be honored will be the entire month of January 2010. If you do not plan on registering your vessel this year, you must have it out of the water no later than January 31, 2010. If your unregistered vessel, PWC, or non-powered vessel is caught on the water after January 31, 2010, you will be cited for an unregistered vessel in which the fine is $200.00; and you may also receive a citation for an illegal launch which is a fine of $100.00.

Remember, you must also have a Vessel Operators Permit (VOP) with you at all times while operating your vessel. To obtain a VOP, you can take your boat test at the Community Building on Rolling Ridge, seven days a week at 9:00 a.m. (Study section 5 of your SVLA Rules and Regulations). Be sure to have your SVLA Membership card and your Drivers license with you at the time of testing. (Boat Testing will be cancelled on January 18 & 19 due to the AARP Senior Driving Class. Boat Testing will resume as usual on Wednesday, January 20.)

If you have any questions, please call the Public Safety Department at 760-245-6400 for a vessel inspection and a boat test. If you have questions on your SVLA boat registration, please call the Association Office at 760-245-9756. When you take the boat test or get a vessel inspection, the Officer will hand you a list of items you will need to complete your SVLA boat registration. You can also pick up this list at the Association Office or at the Public Safety Dispatch Office. Please register your vessels early and don't wait for the Memorial Day Weekend rush.

The San Bernardino County Fire Fighters at Spring Valley Lake Station 22 would like to remind everyone of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is considered by many people to be called the "Silent Killer". This is because there is no odor, no taste, and no color present that would assist you in identifying its presence. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of death by poisoning in the United States.

Your County Fire Department recommends the use of Carbon Monoxide detectors in conjunction with Smoke Detectors.

Remember, when it comes to medical symptoms, from minor to severe Carbon Monoxide poisoning, please refer to the table on the SBC Fire Department information flyer (also posted on www.svla.com under NEWS).

We have attached a couple of web site links if you desire to do some additional research.

Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/coftsht.html

About.com: Chemistry

http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingswork/a/codetectors.htm

Silent Shadow: Silent Killer

http://www.silentshadow.org/the-dangers-of-carbon-monoxide.html

www.sbcfire.org